The national award is dedicated to Tulu land, says Pingara director Preetham Shetty

Pingara has won the national award for the Best Tulu film. The project, and which has Neema Ray, Sharan Shetty, Usha Bhandari, Guru Hegde, Sinchan Chandrashekhar,, Suneel NelliGudde and Prashank CK, is directed by Preetham Shetty and produced by Avinash U Shetty.
Speaking to us, an ecstatic director Preetham, says, “We never expected the film to get a national award.The credit must go the entire team who toiled hard to make the movie. I just couldn’t believe it when I got the news of Pingara getting an award. I dedicate this award to Tulu land and culture, which hardly ever gets recognition. Awards like these encourage filmmakers to work with more zeal to portray the nativity of a region.”
The film touches upon casteism and untouchability among toddy tapping workers. It also showcases several rituals like Buta Kola, where persons from the lower community seek guidance from the family deity, which is still prevalent. The project had bagged International jury award at Bengaluru International Film Festival in March last year.